Evaluating the activity of salivary enzymes as stress biomarkers under psychological stress and their relationship with rumination and personality traits

Abstract

Background

Salivary enzymes are used as non-invasive biomarkers to assess the activity of the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary system. The aim of this study was to evaluated levels of acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and cathepsin salivary enzymes under psychological tension and their connection with rumination and personality traits.

Methods

A total of 60 medical students, who wanted to participate in the final exam, two months before the exam, the inventory emotional control questionnaire and the neo-short form were completed. Saliva samples were taken in both the basal conditions and under exam stress.

Results

A significant difference was found between the mean of level salivary enzymes in rest and under exam stress. Also, we found a positive and significant correlation between the activity of salivary enzymes and personality traits such as neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness and rumination (p < .01, p < .05) level. Neuroticism, agreeableness and rumination predicted 45% of the variance of salivary acid phosphatase, neuroticism and rumination predicted 49% of the variance of salivary beta-glucuronidase and neuroticism, extraversion and rumination predicted 38% of the variance of salivary cathepsin under stress exam.

Conclusion

The results of this study show, levels of salivary enzymes may increase in individuals with traits of neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness and rumination through response to psychological stressors.

Keywords:

• Salivary enzymes
• rumination
• personality traits
• stress
• acid phosphatase
• beta-glucuronidase
• cathepsin

Acknowledgements

We appreciate the student research committee for preparation of grant. In addition, authors thank all medical students who participated in this study.

Ethical approval

Ethics code ajums. REC.1396.452 in the Student Research Committee University of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Additional information

Funding

The Research Administration Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. [Grant No. Ajums code of 95 s 117].